Local pensioners win special prize from Bell’s

ONE doesn’t always know what to expect at corporate golf days, and often it is a matter of showing your face, paying the obligatory entry and slogging away over a long day.

Last week I was pleasantly surprised at the Bell’s Experience golf day at Victoria Country Club. About 120 of their regulars turned up, all resplendent in complimentary gear. The weather played along, too.

The true significance of the day, however, was only highlighted after speaking to Bell’s brand manager, Dominic Malan. He explained how the concept started six years ago as a free event to reward regular clients, before the introduction of a registration fee which goes to charities.

When one considers that Bell’s hosts 14 such days nationwide, and then a grand finale at Fancourt, the funds raised from these registration fees quickly add up. These, along with the proceeds from auctions held at each event’s dinner, go towards SA Disabled Golf and the Petro Jackson and Chris Burger funds.

One of South Africa’s leading disabled golfers, Robin “Rambo” Singh, an amputee, was present at the event. Singh, who recently came second in the Scottish Disabled Open, lauded the efforts of Bell’s for its support in what has traditionally been a barren field.

“These days make a huge difference to us, and it’s very nice to come and see that there are sponsors out there who care,” Singh said.

Dale Hayes, the entertaining presenter from SuperSport, provided a late afternoon demonstration of trick shots, coupled with anecdotes from his experiences.

Playing reverse-handed with a left-hand club, hitting a “hammer-club” 250m and even playing with a club that had a hosepipe as a shaft, Hayes, a former Tour stalwart, showed just how skilled the professionals of the game are.

As for the golf itself, local pensioners Ken Will and Morgan Holmes from Victoria Country Club won the Betterball Fourball format, and with it a trip of a lifetime to Fancourt next May.

“We only entered at the last minute when someone pulled out,” laughed Will.

“It’s an unbelievable opportunity, especially as I will be turning 70 around then,” said a delighted Holmes.

As Hayes, the MC for the dinner, said: “It’s incredible that, just by walking around having fun for a few hours playing this great game, we can assist the lives of those in need.”

And that summed up a truly special day where, ultimately, everyone was a winner.

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